Restaurants' Patrons Told To Take Hepatitis Vaccine

AVON — About two dozen people potentially exposed to hepatitis at two popular restaurants have been advised to seek precautionary vaccinations against the virus, local health officials said Thursday.

Between 20 and 30 patrons may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus through a food server employed at The Dakota Restaurant on Route 44 and at Seasons Restaurant in the Avon Old Farms Hotel, officials said.

Hepatitis A affects the liver and causes flu-like symptoms including nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue and jaundice. It runs its course in about two weeks without medication as the body develops immunity, said Kevin Sullivan, spokesman for the state Department of Public Health.

So far there is no indication anyone has been infected, a local health official said.

State and local health officials said both restaurants are safe to patronize.

State and local health officials say they have contacted all who may have been exposed and advised them to go to one of three hospitals for a shot of immune globulin.

Today is the last daythat any patron who may have come into contact with the food server can be innoculated to prevent the illness or ease symptoms. That's because the shot must be administered within two weeks of the date of exposure -- Dec. 18, 19 or 20, said Richard Matheny, director or the Farmington Valley Health District. Others may have been exposed before those dates, but it would be too late for the vaccination to help, he said.

The three hospitals that offer the hepatitis vaccine are: Hartford Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center and UConn Health Center's John Dempsey Hospital.

Because there is a limited supply of immune globulin in the Hartford area -- about 60 to 70 doses -- health officials want to make dosages available only to patrons who ate at the restaurants between Dec. 18 and 20.

The virus enters through the mouth and is passed in feces. It can be carried on an infected person's hands and spread if he or she doesn't practice proper hygiene or wear gloves when handling food.

State health officials were notified by a doctor who made the diagnosis, but Sullivan said there have been no recent reports of the illness.

Health officials declined to release the server's name or job title, but did say that the only people at risk of exposure are those who ordered a drink with a garnish. As it happens, everyone who ordered such drinks paid with a credit card, so they could be contacted, Matheny said.

John Brighenti, who owns the Avon Old Farms Hotel and Seasons Restaurant, said the employee has been a part-time waiter for two or three years. He said the employee got a clean bill of health from his doctor and is expected to return to work next week.

The employee never actually touched any food or beverages, Brighenti said.

Following health officials' recommendations, food handlers at Seasons Restaurant will wear latex gloves for the next 50 days, Brighenti said.

At The Dakota Restaurant, food handlers routinely wear latex gloves, said Fred Holt, vice president of operations for the restaurant.

Holt said the employee who contracted the hepatitis last worked at the restaurant Dec. 18, and is expected to return when he gets approval from his doctor and the state. The employee works part-time and has been employed there for less than a few weeks, Holt said.

Meanwhile, the Avon Old Farms Inn, across the street from the Avon Old Farms Hotel, issued a statement saying that the two entities are separate and that patrons of the inn were not exposed.